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Acquisitions

Collecting and documenting new objects, specimens and samples and enriching the collection’s archive, photos, sound recordings and films are some of the museum’s main tasks. How this is done has evolved throughout the museum’s history.

The collections will be preferably developed further as part of scientific projects in Africa, in which the involvement of local partners is of crucial importance.

Strict conditions and criteria determine what is and what is not included in the RMCA’s collection when items are offered outside the context of field research.

Each acquisition must meet the applicable laws and ethical stipulations, as laid down by international organisations such as ICOM,UNESCO and CITES.

Each acquisition must be well-documented, as an object or specimen without identification and information regarding its origin has little or no value for a scientific institute

In addition, the size and state of new acquisitions must enable them to be stored in the museum for an indefinite period.

Alongside these general conditions, priority shall be given to

New acquisitions that fit in with research projects

New acquisitions in preparation of exhibitions

Adding to the main collections. These are the collections that are vital to the image of the RMCA, whose development often coincides with the museum’s history, or can reflect the institute’s main research.

The RMCA has an acquisition committee that evaluates and reports to the managing director on new proposals.